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" G. P. SELIGMANN-LUI.

TOLL COUNTER FOR TELEPHONE LINES.

No. 561,619. Patented Jun 9, 1896.

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G. P. SE LIGMANN-LUI. TOLL COUNTER FOR TELEPHONE LINES.

No. 561,619. Patented June 9, 1896.

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G. PJSE LIGMANN-LUI. TOLL COUNTER FOR TELEPHONE LINES.

116. 561,619. PatentedJune 9, 1896.

UMTEE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAYE PIERRE SELIGMANN-LUI, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

TOLL-COUNTER FOR TELEPHONE-LINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,619, dated June 9,1896.

Application filed August 18, 1894. Serial NO 520,739, (N model.)

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, GUSTAVE PIERRE SELIG- HANN-LUI, a citizen ofFrance, residing at Paris, in the Republic of France, have i11- ventedcertain new and useful Improvements in 'Ioll-Oounters forTelephone-Lines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to lettersor figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to apparatus for counting or recording telephonicconversations, its object being to register each use of a subscriberstelephone-line, in which the subscriber is actually placed in positionto communicate with the party called for.

Ileretoi'ore numerous attempts have been made to register or count thetime or duration of use or the number of times of use of atelephonelinc, with the object of establishing a fixed rate or toll foreach use of the telephone. These prior systems have commonly failed to agreater orless extent, either because they registered only the use ofthe telephone without reference to the actual establishment ofcommunication between subscribers or because, in order that cognizanceshould be taken only of connections in which the subscribers actuallyentered into communication, the automatic operation of the instrumenthas been discarded and the registration left optional with thesubscriber. Thus, for example, each use of a telephone at a substationmay be automatically counted or registered by means of suitablemechanism connected with the telephone-switch hook or other part whichis necessarily moved in the use of the telephone, or mechanism may beplaced either at the exchange or at the substation to register thecompletion of connection between two telephone-lines. In the iirstinstance the counter would register the use of the instruments withoutreference to the actual establishment of communication betweensubscribers, as in case the subscriber called for were found busy orabsent, and would also fail to discriminate between connectionsoriginating at the same substation and those originating elsewheredirected to this substation. In the latter instance the apparatus mightpossess only the defect of registering each completed connection withoutreference to the subsequenttransaction of business.

In my invention I have aimed to provide a registering or countingapparatus, a tollcounter, adapted to be manually operated by acall-initiating subscriber, together with apparatus for compelling thesubscriber to operate his counter after the establishment of the desiredconnection before communication with the distant station shall bepossible. To this end I place at the substation a device which isarranged to alter the electrical condition of the telephone-line whenthe tollcounter is operated, and mechanism at the exchange controlled oractuated by means of the alteration of the electrical condition of theline, and arranged to prevent telephonic communication over the lineuntil actuated in consequence of the operation of the tollcounter. Inconjunction with this mechanism at the exchange, however, I providemeans whereby the operator may establish telephonic communication withthe line. in order to receive calls for connections and to place theline in connection with the desired substation.

To be more specific, I provide with the tollcounter at the substation akey for opening or closing the line-circuit or a connection thereof whenthe toll-counter is operated, and at the exchange a relay, which may becontrolled by the key at the substation to alter the line connections atthe exchange in such manner as to prevent communication over the lineuntil the relay is properlyactuatedas, for example, by including a greator infinite resistance in the line-circuit. In combination with thisdevice I employ the usual link-conductors for connecting lines together,and a key by which the operator may complete connections between linesregardless of the interposed obstacle. This key may preferably be theoperators listening-key, the obstacle created by the relay becomingeffective only after the disconnection of the operators telephone.

In one form of my invention the key eonneeted with the counter at thesubstation is constructed to open the normally continuous line-circuitmomentarily when the counter is operated. The relay controlling theobstruction, or that device which is provided to pre vent thetransmission of telephonic current over the line, is included, togetherwith a battery, in a bridge between the conductors of the plug-circuit,by means of which connection is made between the lines, and controlscontact-points arranged to open or break the plug-circuit at some pointwhen the relaymagnets are excited, but to close the break in theplugcircuit after they are momentarily demagnetized. The connection ofthe operators telephone with the plug-circuit is controlled by the usuallistening-key, which has, however, in addition to its ordinaryswitchcontacts, another set of switch-springs adapted to break theplug-circuit when the tele phone is disconnected, the separable contactsof the listening-key and those controlled by the relay being in parallelbranches of the plug-circuit, so that either pair maycomplete theplug-circuit while the members of the other pair are still separated. Inthe operation of this device the subscriber signals,the operator makesconnection with the line, receives the order, tests and completes theconnection with the line called for in the usual manner. Havingascertained the subscribers to be actually in position to communicatewith each other, she orders the call-initiating subscriber to operatehis toll-counter. The call-initiating subscriber must then perform thisoperation in order to momentarily open the line, whereby the relay isdemagnetized and permits the contact-points which it controls to closethe branch of the plug-circuit or to remove the obstacle in that branchthereof. The operator may then disconnect her telephone, leaving theconnection complete between the substations. If, however, the subscriber shall have failed to operate his counter as directed,communication with his correspondent will be impossible, one branch ofthe plug-circuit being open 'at the listening key and transmission oftelephonic current through the other branch being prevented by theobstacle therein. The counter is thus called upon to register onlyactual conversations, and these only at the substation from which thecall proceeds, while at the same time the subscriber is compelled toregister each conversation which he initiates.

My invention comprises also certain minor features of construction andarrangement of the apparatus for preventing interference with theoperators test system from the battery included in the line.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and may be morefully described in connection therewith.

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a simplified diagram of the circuits andapparatus of my invention, divested of all mechanism not directlyconcerned in the operation of the counter. Fig. 3 is a diagram of theoperators plug-circuit complete, comprising not only the apparatusinvolved in the operation of the counter, but the usual calling-keys,clearing-out annuneiator, and testing apparatus, and my device forpreventing interference with the test arising from the presence of thebattery in the plug-circuit. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the mainrelay. Fig. & is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of an auxiliary relay adapted to be used in connection with themain relay shown in Figs. 3 and at. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectionalview of a portion of the auxiliary re lay. Fig. 7 is a perspective viewof the listening-key from one side, and Fig. 8 is aperspective view ofthe other side thereof.

I will first describe my invention with reference to the simplifieddiagram in Fig. 1.

The telephonic apparatus at the substation may be of the usualcharacter, comprising a telephone a and transmitter a, a generator a ofsignaling-current, and bell (t arranged in different branches of theline-circuit, and an automatic telephone-switch (t adapted to connectthe telephonic or signaling apparatus into the line-circuit according tothe position of the switch. Each substation is also provided with acounter b, which is represented as comprising only a registeringratchet-wheel b, actuated by a pawl Z1 connected with a switchkey N,included in the line -circuit. The switch-key when depressed separatesfrom its normal resting contact, thus opening the line circuit, and atthe same time causes the pawl to engage another tooth of theratchet-wheel and thus in its return to rotate the latter through asmall are and to register or count one. The apparatus at the substationis connected by line wires 1 and 2 with spring-jacks c and c and with aself-restoring annunciator (Z upon a multiple switchboard at atelephoneexchange. The spring-jacks c and c are assumed to be locatedupon difierent sections 6 and c of the switchboard,the annunciator (Zbeing upon the section 6'. Each spring-jack comprises a line-spring f anda thimblef",which constitute the line-terminals of the jack and areconnected with the conductors 1 and 2 of the line, and two local springsf and f, which constitute the normally separated terminals of alocalcircuit, including the restoring magnet of ann unciator (1 together witha battery g. Each spring-jack is also provided with a test-ring fconnected with the local spring f The operators apparatus is shown onlyat switchboard e, and there onlyone set of plugs is shown. These areplugs 1' and i. Each of these plugs comprises a tip 2' registering withthe line-spring f, a sleeve i making connection with the line-thimble f,and a short insulated ring i adapted to cross together the local springsf and f to complete the local circuit and reset the annunciat-or (Z. Thetips 2' of the plugsare connected together by conductor 5 and thesleeves by conductor 6.

The operators listening-key 7c is connected with conductors 5 and 6.This key, although represented only by its switch-springs, will beeasily understood, being of common construction. It is shown in Figs. 7and 8, but its connections may be most easily followed in the presentfigure. It comprises, essentially, four switch-springs 70, 73, 71: and7%, all of which rest upon corresponding anvils 7. 7e, 73, and Ye fromwhich they are adapted to be separated when the plunger of the key isthrust downward. The spring 76 carries a contact-stu d which connects itwith the spring 7& at the same time that these springs are lifted fromtheir resting-anvils. The anvils L 7&3 constitute the terminals of anoperators telephone 7, and also of a battery 111. Two condensers Z Zare, included in the circuit '7 with the telephone for the purpose ofpreventing ilow of battery at through this instrument, and tworetardation-coils m m are included in the battery-circuit 8 to preventthe shunting of telephonic current through it. The anvil 75 is connectedbetween the telephone and condenser Z by a wire 9, in order that circuitmay be complete from that side of the telephone to the tip of the pluge" while the telephone is in circuit for testing purposes. The magnet ofthe main relay H is included in the bridge 8, containing battery m.

I prefer that the main relay n should not control the continuity of theplug-circuit directly, but rather through the instrumentality of anauxiliary relay 0, since by this means one main relay n can be used inconnection with each operators telephone, an auxiliary relay of cheaperand simpler construction being provided for each plug-circuit. Thisrelay 0 is shown herein as a self-restoring drop provided withcontactpoints 0 and 0 between which its shutter o'- vibrates. Theconstruction of such instruments being well known the operation of thismay be understood from the diagram, but the device will be fullyexplained in connection with Figs. and (5. \V hen the armature o of themagnet is attracted, the shutter 0 is released and closes uponcontact-point 0 The resting-anvil n of relay n is connected by conductorwith one side of battery m, while its lever is connected by a conductor11 through the magnet of relay 0. The other terminal of the latterextends to its forward stop (1, whence its circuit is normally completethrough conductor 12 to contact 7r, thence through conductor 5, line 4,line 8, conductor 6, and conductor 8 to the other side of? battery m.The resting-stop o of relay 0 is connected by conductor 13 withconductor 5 of the plug-circuit.

To follow the operation of my invention assume that subscriber atstation A desires to communicate with subscriber at station A. Thecall-initiatin g subscriber rotates his generator, his telephone beingstill upon the switch-hook, and thus operates his annunciator (Z uponswitchboard e. The operator then inserts plug i into her spring-jack 0,thereby continuing the circuit of lines 1 and 2 to conductors 5 and 6,whence it is completed through her telephone Z, her listeningkey k beingin the position shown. The insertion of the plug 2' into jack a raisedthe line-spring f from its resting-stop and thus disconnected theannunciator (1, while at the same time the local circuit, including therestoring magnet of this annunciator, was closed, whereby the indicatorof the annunciator was reset. The test-rings f were also electrified toa difference of potential from the earth-that is, to a higher potentialthan the earthby contact with the terminal f of battery g. The circuitof battery on was also completed through conductor 8 to the contacts kand k" of the listening-key, thence over the lines, and through thetelephone at the substation. By the flow of current in this circuit themagnet of relay n becomes excited and its lever is caused to assume thepo sition shown in the drawings, opening the circuit through relay 0.

The operator having received the order for the desired connection testsin the usual manner-that is, by applying the tip of of plug 11 to thetest-ring f of spring-jack a belonging to station A. Having found theline not in use,she inserts the plug 11 fully into the springjack testedand signals to substation A by means of the usual signaling apparatus.(Not shown in the drawings.) Vhen the sub scriber at station A hasresponded to the signal and removed his telephone from the hook, thesubscribers are connected through a circuit which may be traced asfollows: from station A over line 1 to conductor 5, through contacts 73a portion of conductor 7, including condenser Z, conductor 9, contacts70 70, contacts k W, the remainder of conductor 5, to the tip of z",thence over line 4, through the telephone at substation A, re turningover line 3, conductor 6 of the plugcircuit, and conductor 2 of line tostation A. The operators telephone Z is bridged across this circuitthrough the remainder of conductor 7 and contacts 70 k Then the operatorby listening at her telephone has assured herself that subscribers atstations A and A are actually in position to communicate with eachother, she may order subscriber at station A to operate his counter,after which she will disconnect her telephone. The subscriber must thendepress the key 11 in order to open the line to interrupt the currentfrom battery m, in which operation the wheel 1') is turned through onetooth and caused to register the conversation. The interruption ofcurrent of battery m permits the magnet of relay n to becomedemagnetized. Its lever is thus released and falls back against contactn, closing conductor 10 to conductor 11 through relay 0, contact 0, andlever 0 conductor 12, contacts k if, conductor 5 of the plug-circuit toconductor i of line to station A, thence returniu g through conductor3,conductor 6,0011- tacts 70 k to battery on. The relay is thus causedto release its shutter, and the latter closes against its resting-anvil0 By this means a short circuit is created from conductor throughconductor 13, cont-acts 0 0 conductor 12 to spring 71; of thelistening-key 7;. The operator then depresses the plunger of herlistening-key, whereby the telephone is disconnectedand at the same timethe contact-points k k are separated, thus opening the listening-keybranch of conductor 5 of the plug-circuit. The conductor 5 is nowcomplete, however, through the springs 7& k, conductor 12, contacts 0 0and conductor 13, so that the subscribers are enabled to carry onconversation with each other.

It will be noted that if after being ordered to register thecall-initiating subscriber had neglected to push his key 17 he would beentirely disconnected from his correspondent, the conductor 5 of theplug-circuit being open both at the contacts 71: 7; of thelistening-key.

and at the contacts 0 o of the relay 0. It is thus obvious that thesubscriber is compelled to register his use-of the telephone after he isassured that his correspondent is prepared to converse with him.

I will 110w describe in detail the different pieces of special apparatusrequired in my invention and afterward will trace the completeplug-circuit.

The relay 71 (shown in Figs. 3 and 4) comprises, essentially, the magnetn and relaylever 02 The latter plays between a fixed forward stop or anda rear contact or resting stop at, fixed in the frame of the instrument.An insulated extension, preferably a pin 71 of hard rubber, projectsfrom the forward extremity of the armature-lever 01 through an openingin a face-plate n. Upon this plate other contactpoints are carried,adapted to be controlled by the movement of the pin a. The pin 71 as itvibrates is arranged to engage alternately the extremities of pivotedbell-crank levers a a which are normally pressed toward the pin byretractile springs 72. 11 respectively, and are held against stops it nIn the normal position of the relayarmature it rests against its anviln, and pin n lifts the lever n from its stop M the lever n resting uponits anvil n.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown the auxiliary relay 0, of which one isprovided for each plugcircuit. This relay is substantially aselfrestoring annunciator of slightly modified construction, its shutteror forward armature serving to control contact-points in place ofoperating a signal-indicator. It is provided with a main magnet 0 and anauxiliary or restoring magnet 0 The main magnet has a pivoted armature0", which carries an arm furnished at its extremity with a catch whichengages an iron shutter 0 which constitutes the armature of therestoring-magnet 0. Before this shutter 0 two light springs o are fixedvertically, held rigidly at their lower extremities and tending awayfrom the shutter,

but normally bearing against a transverse bar 0 of insulating material.Upon the shutter is fixed a light cross bar or arm 0 ,which is adaptedto engage these two springs 0, making contact with both of them and thuscrossing them together as long as the shutter is in its position ofengagement with the catch. The shutter is also provid ed with the usualnight-bell spring 0 lVhen the main magnet 0 is excited, armature 0 isattracted and releases the shutter 0 which falls outward. The cross 0between springs 0 is thus removed and the circuit between the latter isbroken, while at the same time the night-bell spring 0 is closed to theshutter. When the magnet 0 is excited, the shutter 0' is again drawn upinto engagement with the catch and crosses springs otogether anddisconnects the circuit of night bell spring 0 The listening-key (shownin Figs. 7 and 8) is substantially the same as that in common use, withthe addition of a contact-spring k and its anvil 7t on one side of thekey. \Vhen the plunger 79 is depressed, the wedge 7c,connectedtherewith,is thrust between the curved extremities of switch-springs 7t"70 and 70 7; and lifts them. The metallic stud carried by spring is thenmakes connection with spring 7.; and lifts the same from its anvil L Therubber stud 70 upon spring 70 engages spring 70* and lifts the latterfrom its anvil k The spring 7c is lifted from its anvil k and spring 7&is closed upon its contact k.

In Fig. 2 two plug-circuits are shown connected with a single relay nand a single operators telephone set Z. Each pair of plugs is providedwith a relay 0, a listening-key 7t, and also with a clearing-outannunciator p of the self-restoring type.

The principal circuits of the plugs '5 1" may be traced through theconductors, as before, with reference to Fig. 1. The tips are unitedthrough conductor 5, including the contactsprings of the listening-key,and the sleeves are united directly by conductor 6. The conductors 7 and9, together with the connections from conductor 7 to the contact-pointsk and R are common to all the pairs of plugs belonging to one operator.The conductors ll of the different plug-circuits are individual, but areconnected to a common point, the lever n of relay n. The remainder ofthe circuits are individual-that is, separate conductors are providedfor each plug-circuit.

Each plug-circuit includes apair of callingkeys 7', each provided withcontact-springs which are adapted to disconnect the remainder of theplug-circuit from one of the plugs and to connect the terminals of thatplug with the poles of a generator 3 of signalingcurrent for signalingto a substation. The clearing-out annunciator p is connected by means ofconductor 14 in a bridge between the conductors 5 and 6 of theplug-circuit, this bridge being completed through the contacts 75 k whenthe telephone is not in circuit. The local or restoring circuit 15 ofthe clearing-out annunciator, including the battery t, is controlled byspring and its contact 7c, which are closed together, and thus act toreset the annunciator when the operators telephone is brought intoconnection with the plug-circuit. The night-bell springs 19 p of theclearing-out annunciator p are included in a local circuit 16 ofbatteryt through the restoring-magnet of relay 0. By this device whenthe clearing-out annunciator is thrown at the completion of a connectionthe relay 0 is automatically restored to its normal condition.

Since the presence of battery on in the plugcircuit would interfere tosome extent with the operators busy test, unless a special device wereprovided to obviate this, I have arranged the contacts 91 97. and n at,whose function it is to protect the telephone from discharges of thecondensers Z Z It will be observed that ordinarily the condenser Z ischarged from battery on through the circuit 8. Under this condition ifthe testplug were applied to a grounded test-ring the condenser woulddischarge through the telephone to earth and would produce in thetelephone a click which might be mistaken for a busy test. The spring orlever n of relay n is therefore arranged to be normally closed upon itsanvil a, and in this position it closes a short circuit 17 about thetelephone Z. The lever 01 is normally separated from its anvil a but isadapted to close thereon in the first movement of lever n and beforelever "a has separated from its anvil, and springs of a control acircuit 18 from the other pole of battery m to the conductor 9, thecircuit being through conductor 18, contacts n a, conductor 11, magnetof relay 0, contacts 0 0 conductor 12, contacts 7t" 73, and conductor 9.The telephone is thus normally protected by a short circuit 17, and thecondenser Z is discharged through the instrumentality of contacts 71 abefore the short circuit 17 has been broken at contacts a n. Thus allinterference with the test from battery m is obviated.

It will be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to a specificform for the mechanism which I have herein described. Many modificationsmaybe made without departing from the spirit of my invention. Thus theutility of my invention is obviously not limited to counting the numberof times which a telephone-line is in use, but may be employed toregister or record the duration or time of a conversation or for anyother purpose in which it is desired that the subscriber shall operate aparticular instrument before he shall be enabled to communicate with hiscorrespondent. It is also plain that the actual breaking of theplug-circuit in order to prevent the transmission of telephonic currentbetween the substations before the operation of the counter isunnecessary, it being sufficient to interpose in the plug-circuit or inany branch connected therewith any of the well-known devices forpreventing the transmission of current over an extended branch of acircuit.

I therefore claim, broadly, as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent-- 1. The combination with a telephone-line of apparatus fornormally preventing the transmission of telephonic current through thetelephone-line, a key at the terminal station of said line includedtherein adapted to be operated by the subscriber to move said apparatusin position to permit the transmission of telephonic current through thetelephone-line, and a recording device which is operated when the key isactuated; substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination with a telephone-line, of apparatus at the centralstation for normally preventing the passage of telephonic currents oversaid line, a circuit-controlling device at the terminal station foroperating said apparatus at the central station to thereby permit thepassage of telephonic currents, and a recording instrument at theterminal station, operated by said circuit-controlling device.

The combination with a telephone-line uniting two stations, of aregistering instru ment at one of the stations, and a relay intermediatebetween the two stations adapted in its normal position to interpose inthe linecircuit a device to prevent the transmission of telephoniccurrent between the stations, the relay being electrically connectedwith a key adapted to be actuated in the operation of the register, saidkey controlling the relay to permit the transmission of telephoniccurrents in the line when the key is operated, substantially asdescribed.

4. The combination with a telephone-line uniting two stations, of amanually-operated registering instrument at one of the stations, a relayadapted to normally interpose in the line-circuit a great resistance butto complete the line-circuit as to telephonic currents in its alternateposition, and a key connected with the registering instrument adapted tobe actuated thereby, controlling said relay, substantially as described.

5. The combination with two telephonelines extending from substations toa central station and united thereat by a plug-circuit orlink-conductors, of a registering instrument at one substation, a relayat the central station normally interrupting the plug-circuit, therelaybeing electricallycontrolled by a key connected with the registerto close the line-circuit when the registeris operated, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination with two telephonelines extending from substations toa central station, of a plug-circuit uniting the lines at the centralstation, a manually-operated register at one of the stations, a switchat the central station controlling the continuity of one ICO of twoparallel branches of the plug-circuit, a relay controlling thecontinuity of the other parallel branch, said relay being controlled bya key adapted to be actuated in the operation of the registelywherebythe subscriber, after having ascertained that his correspondent at thedistant substation is in position to communicate with him, may becompelled to operate his register in order to converse with thesubscriber at the distant station, substantially as described.

'7. The combination with telephone-lines extending from substations to acentral station, of a plug-circuit uniting two lines into a completecircuit, a manually-operated register at one of the stations, anoperators listening key or switch for connecting the operators telephonewith the line, a switch upon the listening-key controlling thecontinuity of one of two parallel branches of the plugcircuit, and arelay controlling the continuity of the other parallel branch thereof,said relaybeing adapted to be electrically controlled bya key actuatedin the operation of the register to close the corresponding branch ofthe plug-circuit, substantially as described.

8. In combination with telephone-lines extending from substations to acentral station and united there by a plug-circuit, a manually-operatedregister at one of the stations, a switch controlling the continuity ofone of two parallel branches of the plug-circuit, an

automatic relay controlling the other branch connected together with asource of electric current with the telephone-line and adapted tocomplete the branch of the plug-circuit which it controls when itsmagnet is momentarily demagnetized, and a key actuated in the operationof the register to momentarily open the line circuit, substantially asdescribed.

9. The combination with anuinber of plugcircuits, of a single main relayand a source of current connected therewith, an auxiliary relay in eachplug-circuit controlling the continuity thereof and controlled by themain relay, and means for connecting the main relay with anyplug-circuit, substantially as described.

10. In combination with a number of plugcircuits, an operators telephoneand a battery and main relay in parallel branch circuits, alisteningdzey for each plug-circuit adapted to connect the telephone andbatteryin a bridge between the conductors of the correspondingplug-circuit and provided with switch-springs arranged to open theplug-circuit when the telephone is disconnected, and an auxiliary relayfor each plug-circuit controlled by the main relay and adapted to closea normally open branch of the plug about the said contacts of thelistening-key, substantially as described.

11. The combination with atelephone-line, of a plug-circuit adapted tobe connected therewith, an operators telephone adapted to be connectedwith the plug-circuit, a battery and a relay in a parallel circuit withsaid telephone, and a short circuit about said telephone controlled bysaid relay; substantially as described. a

In testimony whereof I ai'iiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAYE PIERRE SE LlGlLlh'X-LUI.

lVitnesses:

G. DE MEsTRAL, EDWARD P. MACLEAN.

